Figure 1.--Colorful blazers were initially adopted by sports teams at public (exclusive private) schhols. Even into the 1930s sports teams like these boys in 1930 wore fancy blazers.

The popularity of blazers and conventions for wearing them have varied over time. Our chronology of the blazer in England is still limited at this time, but we have begun to collect some information. Schools with uniforms commonly required that the children wear their blazers during the school day. Blazers appeared as a sports garments at public (private secondry) schools during the late 19th century. Schools in the 20th century, especially after World War I began adopting the blazer as an integral pert of the school uniform. Special permission was required for boys to take off therir blazers, even on a hot summer day. Only during the late 1950s did schools begin to relax the rules about blazers. By the 1960s boys ar many schools could take off their blazers. Gradually while boys would wear their blazers to and from school, during the day they would mostly wear their jumpers. This varied, however, from school to school. Blazers are still widely worn at British schools. Styles and practices, however, have changed somewhat. Colors are no longer as diverse. Some styles such as stripes and blazers with contrasting borders are less common, primarily a matter of cost. A much wider spectrum of the English population now chooses private education and schools have attemopted to simplify the uniform. The clothing list required of boys until the 1960s could be quite daunting for a small boy--and very expensive. Multi-colored blazers and those with edging work are more expensive and tnus have gradually disappeared. Even so there are still a wide variety of brightly colored blazers worn by British school children. Often the girls schools now have the most brightly colored blazers. Presumably the girls take a little better care of their blazers than do the boys. Blazers begame less common in the 1990s. Boys and girls at many comprehensives now rarely wear them, comong to school now mostly wearing jumpers and a coat on a cold day. This varies, however, from school to school. Most private schools still have blazers. The blazer is worn less today than in earlier years. Some schools do not now even have blazers. Most do but they are mostly worn while coming and going to school and for school functions. While at school, British boys mostly wear their jumpers (sweaters) or just a shirt during the school day. They rarely put on their blazers.

The 19th Century

The blazer appeared in the 19th century. Its origins are somwwhat vague. Some attribute the first blazer to the Royal Navy. Only later did the blazer appear at schools. Blazers first appeared as a sports garments at public (private secondry) schools during the late 19th century. We do not yet, however, have much information about the use of blazrs at British schools in the 19th century. Our general impression is that they were mostly worn for sport, but here we need more information..

The 20th Century

Schools in the 20th century, especially after World War I began adopting the blazer as an integral pert of the school uniform. Conventions were often more formal at the time. Schools with uniforms commonly required that the children wear their blazers during the school day. Special permission was required for boys to take off therir blazers, even on a hot summer day. Only during the late 1950s did schools begin to relack the rules about blazers. By the 1960s boys ar many schools could take off their blazers. Gradually while boys would wear their blazers to and from school, during the day they would mostly wear their jumpers. This varied, however, from school to school. Blazers are still widely worn at British schools. Styles and practices, however, have changed somewhat. Colors are no longer as diverse. Some styles such as stripes and blazers with contrasting borders are less common, primarily a matter of cost. A much wider spectrum of the English population now chooses private education and schools have attemopted to simplify the uniform. The clothing list required of boys until the 1960s could be quite daunting for a small boy--and very expensive. Multi-colored blazers and those with edging work are more expensive and tnus have gradually disappeared. Even so there are still a wide variety of brightly colored blazers worn by British school children. Often the girls schools now have the most brightly colored blazers. Presumably the girls take a little better care of their blazers than do the boys. Blazers begame less common in the 1990s. Boys and girls at many comprehensives now rarely wear them, comong to school now mostly wearing jumpers and a coat on a cold day. This varies, however, from school to school. Most private schools still have blazers. The blazer is worn less today than in earlier years. Some schools do not now even have blazers. Most do but they are mostly worn while coming and gong to school and for school functions. While at school, British boys mostly wear their jumpers (sweaters) or just a shirt during the school day. They rarely put on their blazers. Some schools in the 1990s experminented with more relaxed uniforms. Some schools replaced blazers with sweatshirts.

The 21st Century

Most English secondary schools had uniforms which included blazers and ties. As part of a trend toward relaxation of dress standards, some schools moved toward a more informal uniform in the late 20th century. Some of those schools in the 2000s are beginning to reconsider this move. One joiurmalist writes, "Schools Are bringing back traditional blazers and ties in an attempt to improve classroom discipline. Heads believe that the switch will foster better attitudes among pupils and help promote a 'businesslike' atmosphere. The return to blazer uniforms reverses the trend for sweatshirts and polo shirts with no ties adopted by schools over the past two decades." [Clark] The whole issue is hotly debate among students, staff, and parents. We know of no definitive study adressing the issue in emperial terms. Generally the debate involves statging opinions and pointed out a few examples backing the author's or individuals point of view. There are many examples which can be sited. "Chris Reynolds, the head of St Benedict Catholic School, said: 'I'm not surprised that more schools are choosing to go down this path. "Four or five years ago we decided to consult on having a blazer after parents and pupils raised the subject." He said the smarter new uniform gave the school a stronger community feel. Exam results at St Benedict School have risen steadily since the blazers were re-introduced as part of the uniform. In 2001, just 43 per cent of pupils passed five GCSEs with grades A* to C, compared with 72 per cent this summer." [Clark] We are not sure just how significant this trend is to reintroduce blazers. A journalist reports, "Margaret Morrissey, spokesman for the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations, said: "School uniforms as presented in television programmes are becoming more formal and this reflects what is happening in schools. .... There is a lot more competition to get your child into school these days and blazers are a little more of a status symbol." [Clark] There also seem to be financial factors at play. Sweatshirts seem a heap approach to schoolwear. They do not hold up, however, like sweatrs and blazers. The shrink and fade and take on a raggedy look. Parents were finding that they had to buy more than one sweatshirt a year and that they often did not look very smart after a while. A 2007 press report actually indicated that one comprehensive school in Oxfordshire will be giving brand new blazers out to the students as part of a major change in the school's uniform. Banbury School is a mid-sized comprehensive with 700 pupils. The school spent £15,000 on 1,100 blazers for the students to be worn in the school year begiinin September 2007. They are black blazers with red school logos. The school offered the students three options for a new uniform. The result was that 82 percent voted for the blazer option. The blazer will be worn with a black and red tie. The teaching union questioned the use of school funds for blazders. All the students in years 7 to 11 will be given the blazers. The old uniform was a navy blue sweater. Sixth form students (year 12) will continue to wear their own clothes, but with a dress code requiring somnewhat smarter dress. A press report indicated that Dr. Fiona Hammans, school principal, believes the new uniform will benefit the school and even help raise standards by creating a team spirit and a sense of pride in the school. She told a reporter, "I never thought I would be a head teacher that would make a uniform more formal, but the students like the idea of wearing a smart uniform and we have had no complaints from the parents."

Sources

Clark, Laura. "Bring back the blazer!" Daily Mail December 28, 2005.

"School buys pupils new blazers," BBC News, July 6, 2007.

Navigate the Relate Boys Historical Clothing Uniform Garment Pages
[Return to the: Main garment page]
[Blazers] [Bookbag] [Caps] [Coats] [Hose] [Kilts] [Pants] [Shirts]
[Shoes] [Smocks [Suits] [Seaters] [Ties]

Navigate the HBC Country School Pages:
[Main School Uniform Page]
[Main National School Uniform Page]
[Australia] [England] [France] [Germany]
[Ireland] [Italy] [Japan] [New Zealand] [Poland] [Singapore] [Scotland]
[Singapore] [United States]

Navigate the HBC School Section:
[About Us]
[Activities] [Chronology] [Clothing styles] [Countries] [Debate] [Economics] [Garment] [Gender] [Hair] [History] [Home trends] [Literary characters]
[School types] [Significance] [Transport and travel [Uniform regulations] [Year level] [Other topics]
[Images] [Links] [Registration] [Tools]
[Return to the Historic Boys' School Home]

Created: November 13, 2003
Last updated: 12:13 PM 10/24/2017